Another Life With You

Dinner for Four

Seo Dan surveyed her room with satisfaction, hands propped on her waist. Her closet was bare now, with only a few essential pieces of clothing hanging inside. She had managed to sell or donate most of her home décor. All that was left to do was to bring the two large bags of clothing to the North Korean refugee charity for donation.

She was surprised at how quick it had been to pack up her life in Seoul. It had taken two days to strip down her apartment to the bare necessities. She had arrived with a suitcase and her cello, and she would leave with a suitcase and her cello.

She could admit to herself that the only thing she would miss was the man lounging about on her sofa.

"I'm conserving my energy for when I have to carry those giant, hulking bags. But do let me know when you're done, Seo Dan ssi," Seung-jun drawled. He had flung an arm over his eyes and his legs were strewn haphazardly over the end of the sofa.

Seo Dan checked her watch. "If we want to make it to Yoon Seri's dinner in time, then we should go now."

This unlikely meal had been arranged by Seung-jun, who thought it a fantastic idea that the four of them get together and discuss the imminent trip to North Korea. It was natural enough for Seung-jun to suggest it, given that he had personal relationships with Seo Dan, Yoon Seri, and Ri Jeong-hyeok separately. However, Seo Dan wondered whether it would be awkward for her to be in the presence of her ex-fiancé. Not only that, but to be with her ex-fiancé and his current girlfriend, or whatever Yoon Seri was at the moment.

Not that Seo Dan was in a position to judge. She peeked at Seung-jun and found that he hadn't moved an inch. Seo Dan hesitated for only a second before going to the sofa and pulling at his foot. "You won't be able to lounge about on this sofa once I'm gone, so don't get too used to it," she said.

Seung-jun uncovered his eyes, meeting her eyes with unerring precision. "But I already am."

Seo Dan's heart gave a painful lurch. Irritated with the reaction, she frowned and turned away. "Don't be dramatic." Why should her heart ache at the thought of leaving Seung-jun behind? Her life and her family were waiting for her back in Pyongyang. And he was just a man, after all.

But so was Ri Jeong-hyeok, and you followed him here to Seoul, that traitorous voice whispered.

He was my fiancé, Seo Dan argued back at the voice.

Hasn't Seung-jun done more for you than your fiancé ever did?

"Ready?"

Seo Dan startled from her thoughts and looked up to find Seung-jun standing expectantly at the door, with the clothes donation bags in hand.

"Ready," she said, grabbing her handbag and keys.

---

Yoon Seri's apartment was both barer and more lavish than Seo Dan had expected. She knew that minimalism was the fashionable thing nowadays in Seoul, and all the furnishings inside the apartment looked expensive enough, but it wasn't an apartment that suggested home.

On the other hand, when Ri Jeong-hyeok and Yoon Seri greeted them at the door, they looked entirely at home greeting their guests as a couple. Seo Dan wasn't quite sure how to feel about the ease with which Jeong-hyeok moved about the apartment. He automatically went to the kitchen cabinets to grab drinks and glasses while Seri showed them to the dining table, as if it was something he had done so much it was already a habit. Seo Dan felt the weight of Seung-jun's assessing gaze on her and made an effort to keep her face composed.

A portable barbeque grill was set up on the table, with platters of meat already laid out. Seo Dan and Seung-jun sat on one side of the table, while Seri and Jeong-hyeok sat opposite.